Using a stacker crane for sterile storage in the operating theatre: initial environmental microbiological qualification.

Background: Adequate storage of sterile surgical devices must prevent contamination and the introduction of microbial contaminants inside the operating room. For functional and economic purposes, stacker cranes (STCs) could replace the traditional sterile storage room (TSSR). STCs are large, multi-stage, computer-assisted systems used to automatically store and retrieve loads from defined locations.

Outbreak of an Uncommon Rifampin-resistant blaNDM-1Citrobacter amalonaticus Strain in a Digestive Rehabilitation Center: The Putative Role of Rifaximin.

We describe a sudden 2-week outbreak due to a blaNDM-1Citrobacter amalonaticus strain in a 22-bed digestive rehabilitation center. Three of the 5 colonized patients received long-term rifaximin treatment to prevent hepatic encephalopathy. The strains were genotypically identical, phenotypically resistant to rifampin, and harbored arr-3, a rifampin adenosine diphosphate-ribosyl transferase.

Local outbreak of extended-spectrum β-lactamase SHV2a-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals the emergence of a new specific sub-lineage of the international ST235 high-risk clone.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major bacterial pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Although its epidemiology is considered as non-clonal, certain international high-risk multidrug-resistant clones have been recognized.

Aim: From the first report of an intra-hospital outbreak due to an SHV2a-producing P.

Contribution and limits of clinical specimens for the screening of intestinal multi-drug-resistant bacteria in view of laboratory automation.

The detection of multi-drug-resistant bacteria carriers constitutes a race against time for infection preventionists. Alongside standard analysis for diagnostic purposes and a rectal screening strategy, the authors tested a heavy-loaded selective method against 562 clinical specimens from 439 patients to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The approach identified five more specimens positive for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae than standard analysis, and six out of nine known VRE/CPE carriers (three new CPE/VRE strains were also identified in this cohort).

Risk of cross transmission with point-of-care ultrasound system: effect of a glass-sealed control panel on microbial contamination.

Contamination of a point-of-care ultrasound system (POCUS) mainly involved electrocardiography accessories and included pathogenic microorganisms. The use of a glass-sealed control panel significantly facilitated its cleaning and reduced its bacterial contamination compared with a standard control panel. Overall hand hygiene compliance during examinations with POCUS was poor.

Protracted outbreak of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii after intercontinental transfer of colonized patients.

Objective: To describe the course and management of a protracted outbreak after intercontinental transfer of 2 patients colonized with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB).

Design: An 18-month outbreak investigation.

Setting: An 860-bed university hospital in France.

Determinant roles of environmental contamination and noncompliance with standard precautions in the risk of hepatitis C virus transmission in a hemodialysis unit.

Background: Nosocomial transmission is the second most frequent cause of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the roles of environmental contamination and noncompliance with standard precautions in HCV cross-transmission in a hemodialysis unit.

Methods: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis in a French university hospital unit were systematically screened, revealing 2 sporadic cases of HCV transmission.

Should electronic faucets be used in intensive care and hematology units?

Objective: To compare bacterial contamination associated with electronic faucets and manual faucets in wards admitting patients highly susceptible to infection.

Design: Water samples from electronic faucets and manual faucets were taken according to the French recommendations on water surveillance in healthcare settings.

Setting: Hematology and intensive care units (ICUs) of a 900-bed university hospital and a 500-bed general hospital.

Misuse of gloves: the foundation for poor compliance with hand hygiene and potential for microbial transmission?

Improvement in hand hygiene compliance is important for reducing cross-infection by micro-organisms. The objective of this prospective observational study was to measure how the improper use of gloves limits compliance to hand hygiene and exposes patient's to infection. The study was conducted in five wards (three intensive care units and two medical wards) in a French university hospital.

Comparison of systematic versus selective screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage in a high-risk dermatology ward.

Objective: To compare two strategies for screening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in a high-risk dermatology ward: systematic screening of all admitted patients versus selective screening of patients at risk.

Design: The two strategies were applied prospectively during two consecutive periods. In period A (8.

Selective screening of carriers for control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in high-risk hospital areas with a high level of endemic MRSA.

Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in patients at risk was evaluated as part of a control program in a 26-bed medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital with a high level of endemic MRSA. Control measures included isolation and barrier precautions, skin decolonization with chlorhexidine of patients from whom MRSA was recovered, and mupirocin treatment of nasal carriers of MRSA. Of 3,686 patients admitted during a 4-year period, 44% were screened, which occurred during admission for 38%; MRSA was recovered from 293 patients (8%).